EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — His sideline blowup with Giants coach Tom Coughlin seemingly behind him, Plaxico Burress turned his attention to a showdown to Pittsburgh — his first game against the Steelers since signing with New York more than three years ago.

"I think it's going to be fun," Burress said after team meetings Monday. "I built a lot of good relationships up there in the five years I played there."

The relationship that everyone wanted to focus on Monday was Burress' with Coughlin. The two have disagreed a lot during his tenure with the Giants, and it was never more obvious than during the 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Burress was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the second quarter for mouthing off to an official about an offensive pass interference call.

As he walked off the field, Coughlin yelled at him. Burress yelled back with what seemed to be inappropriate language.

"It was football, things like that happen, you move on from it, go out and make plays," Burress said. "Nobody lost any sleep over it; get up in the morning and move on."

Burress said blowups happen between players and coaches all the time.

"Just because it's Plaxico Burress, it gets taken out of context, blown up bigger than what it really is," he said.

Coughlin tried sidestepping the issue Monday. He mentioned Burress three times, saying he would give him the benefit of the doubt on the interference call, while noting he let his emotions get the best of him on the penalty. The coach also joked about putting him on the field goal block unit; the 49ers scored on a blocked kick on Sunday.

For Burress and the Giants, the game against the Steelers starts a tough stretch that includes contests with Dallas and Philadelphia.

"Definitely a lot of good defensive teams that we will be playing in the next few weeks," Burress said. "It starts here. Pittsburgh is 5-1. We're 5-1. It's a tough game. I know those guys well. I know the defense. They are going to come from everywhere. We've got to try not to let their pressure and noise affect us and make some plays."

Pittsburgh chose Burress with the eighth pick overall coming out of Michigan State in 2000. He had 1,000 yards receiving in both 2002 and '03. A hamstring injury slowed him the following year and the Steelers let him walk after the season.

Burress called it business, knowing the Steelers were happy with Hines Ward.

The Giants signed Burress to a six-year, $25 million contract in 2005 and he rewarded them last year with the winning catch in the Super Bowl.

Coincidentally, the Steelers won the title in 2005, the year Burress left.

"They won a championship without me. I didn't have many hard feelings," Burress said. "It just kind of motivated myself to go get one."

Burress said he stays in contact with several former teammates and has built some strong relationships. He has fond memories of Pittsburgh.

"It really doesn't bother me how they receive me at all," Burress said. "I'm going in there trying to get a win. It's definitely going to be a tough game playing against that defense, some of the things they do. They're going to be fired up at home, so its going to be a good barometer for us to see where we're at."

Burress insists he won't be emotional this week.

"I'm going to approach the game like I approach it every week," he said. "Relaxed, try to let my God-given ability show and go out and make plays. It's not going to be different than any other games. I'm four years removed from that place. I won a championship last year. I'm just trying to prove things to myself."

BlitzburghRockCity

10-21-2008, 12:20 AM

Burress presents huge matchup problems for virtually any CB in the league but he's not impossible to defend. If you get up in his face and jam him at the line, throw off his timing you can get in his head. Plus if you knock him around every chance you get and make him think about it he'll hear foot steps just like he always has. Our secondary is banged up but Ike will be shadowing him probably all day long since he's our tallest corner and has been playing better each week.

BR7

10-21-2008, 12:37 AM

When have you seen our secondary jam anybody? Really cant bump when you play off by 15 yards.

AZ_Steeler

10-21-2008, 02:08 AM

I could care less of the whole Burress thing... this is more of an Eli vs Ben, or whose the best QB from the draft class of 2004!

Burress is going to get his but I think one nice hard lick on him and he'll be done!

DanRooney

10-21-2008, 02:41 AM

Burress presents huge matchup problems for virtually any CB in the league but he's not impossible to defend. If you get up in his face and jam him at the line, throw off his timing you can get in his head. Plus if you knock him around every chance you get and make him think about it he'll hear foot steps just like he always has. Our secondary is banged up but Ike will be shadowing him probably all day long since he's our tallest corner and has been playing better each week.

lol when has a Steeler CB jammed anyone on the line let alone was within 10 yards of any receiver at the snap? :lol:

BlitzburghRockCity

10-21-2008, 12:57 PM

Ike did play more press coverage vs the Bengals, actually Lebeau had them playing more press coverage in general in that game then they might usually play. The 34 doesn't call for a lot of press coverages because of all the blitzing schemes and people dropping back into zones and stuff but I know I'd sure like to see it more, that 5-10 yd cushion especially on 3rd down just drives me nuts!

ejsteeler

10-21-2008, 01:11 PM

When have you seen our secondary jam anybody? Really cant bump when you play off by 15 yards.

lol when has a Steeler CB jammed anyone on the line let alone was within 10 yards of any receiver at the snap? :lol:

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one this is bothering. I can understand not wanting to give up the big play and they have been able to get off the field for the most part, but if we give a team like NY the opeings we have given the other teams we've played, it could turn into a long night for our D. We need to be more physical at the line with these WR's. Not every time, but enough to keep them honest. :imho:

Dean Denton

10-21-2008, 02:20 PM

They were not jamming Ocho Stinko because of the speed, but I dont see that being the issue with Plexi "Judas" Bare ***..He's not as fast as Stinko. Ike should eliminate the big plays, but whats his face will still get plays.

ejsteeler

10-21-2008, 02:24 PM

Well, that's what I would have thought too, but it has been in every game....?

Dean Denton

10-21-2008, 02:29 PM

Thats because everyone has been faster than Judas...But I do understand what everyone is saying. they talked about it during the game on sunday. They pointed out how far back the CB were playing. And to me thats fine if it works, and it has, but with guys 6'5 you do want to slam them just a bit at the line.

ejsteeler

10-21-2008, 02:32 PM

I gotcha, but I still don't like it.:evilshake:
Goes against what little I know about playing. :banging: :greengrin:

SteelerNC

10-21-2008, 02:34 PM

I am more worried about ELI

Dean Denton

10-21-2008, 02:38 PM

I am more worried about ELI
I'm sure that he will be treated the same way I think about treating your avitar....lol

ejsteeler

10-21-2008, 02:39 PM

:rofl:.....now Dean, that's just wrong.

Dean Denton

10-21-2008, 02:46 PM

I gotcha, but I still don't like it.:evilshake:
Goes against what little I know about playing. :banging: :greengrin:
I know, me too. The first few games I was thinking that they just didn't want to draw a flag. now Its just trying not to give up a big play. If it works, I say let it rain. However with Plexi it wont. You need to be in his face on short yardage because he will always get that first down if you dont stick him.

--- Added 10/21/2008 at 12:46 PM ---

:rofl:.....now Dean, that's just wrong.
Come on, you know our LB's are going to view Eli in the same way. The DL will look at him like Steak or Fish, not sure what the like best....lol
I thought Woodley said something about Malachi Crunch.....Thought he was too young to know about that, but I'll take it..

ejsteeler

10-21-2008, 02:48 PM

I was talking about you molesting his avitar.......:lol:

Dean Denton

10-21-2008, 02:52 PM

I was talking about you molesting his avitar.......:lol:

I know, so was I....lol
Trust me, our Malchi brothers will be molesting Eli the same way I do that Avitar...In my mind ofcourse....lol

BlitzburghRockCity

10-21-2008, 11:56 PM

Ike usually has Chad's number and defends him pretty well every time we play him. Plax has deceptive speed, those long lumbering strides don't seem like he's running that fast but if he breaks one loose he can outrun a DB if they don't have a good angle. If you knock him around, hit him every chance you get, and generally make his life miserable he'll drop balls and you can take him out of his game.

ToothAche

10-22-2008, 01:20 AM

I hope Plaxico spikes the ball after he hits the ground untouched again.......

Stairwayto7

10-22-2008, 05:59 AM

The Steeler fans were over Plax well efore he left. He never lived up to the hype here. Just because he outplayed Troy Edwards, we all thought he was going to be so great. We are so much better off without him.

ejsteeler

10-22-2008, 10:20 AM

I liked him and thought he had some serious potential. Either way, I agree that we need to smack him around every chance we get. :reddevil:

Dean Denton

10-22-2008, 12:46 PM

Plex is ok. I was fighting with a friend of mine that said it was a mistake to cut him ,and keep Hines. I told him that he just didn't understand Steeler football. I know guys 6'5 are hard to come by, but players like Hines are even harder to get. We made the right choice no matter what the out come of sundays game is. Hines Ward plays the way this team needs him too. We are a run first ball club, and he has mastered the block. He is such a huge part of this teams success I cant even put it into words.

Good lord I think I'm getting misty...lol

igor0190

10-24-2008, 12:26 AM

Wasn't Plaxico whining about not getting enough opportunities in the offence before he left? "Give me the ball"
We don't need guys like that. Anyways... He may not play this sunday. He is now questionable with a neck injury

Dean Denton

10-24-2008, 12:30 PM

Wasn't Plaxico whining about not getting enough opportunities in the offence before he left? "Give me the ball"
We don't need guys like that. Anyways... He may not play this sunday. He is now questionable with a neck injury He's faking it. Trying to get into our heads. They checked him out and there was nothing wrong. Maybe he's trying to get out of the game because he knows that the Steelers are looking to clean him out. Or he's watched one too many Ali fights and is trying to beat us mentally before we take the field.